- 1. Constantine the Great, also known as Constantine I, was a pivotal figure in the history of the Roman Empire and is best remembered for being the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, thus laying the foundation for the Christian Empire. Born in circa AD 272 in Naissus, present-day Nis, Serbia, he was the son of Flavius Constantius, a Roman army officer, and Helena, who would later be venerated as Saint Helena. Constantine's rise to power began after the death of his father in AD 306, when he was proclaimed emperor by his troops in Britain. Over the next decade, he engaged in a series of military campaigns against rival claimants to the throne, notably Maxentius and Licinius, ultimately emerging victorious and becoming the sole ruler of the Roman Empire in AD 324. One of his most significant contributions was the Edict of Milan in AD 313, which granted religious tolerance to Christians and restored confiscated properties, marking a dramatic shift in the empire's religious landscape. Constantine also founded the city of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) in AD 330, which became the new capital of the Eastern Roman Empire and a central hub for commerce and culture. His reign saw the promotion of Christian institutions, the convening of the First Council of Nicaea in AD 325 to address heresies within the Church, and the establishment of Christianity as a major force in Roman politics and society. Constantine died on May 22, 337, leaving behind a legacy that profoundly influenced the development of both the Roman Empire and the Christian Church, making him a towering figure in both history and theology.
What year was Constantine the Great born?
A) 250 AD
B) 272 AD
C) 300 AD
D) 285 AD
- 2. Which city did Constantine make the new capital of the Roman Empire?
A) Rome
B) Carthage
C) Constantinople
D) Alexandria
- 3. What significant religious policy did Constantine support?
A) Edict of Caracalla
B) Edict of Thessalonica
C) Edict of Milan
D) Edict of Tolerance
- 4. Which battle did Constantine win that led to his control of the Western Roman Empire?
A) Battle of Cannae
B) Battle of Milvian Bridge
C) Battle of Actium
D) Battle of Zama
- 5. What symbol did Constantine reportedly see in his vision before the Battle of Milvian Bridge?
A) Dove
B) Cross
C) Chi-Rho
D) Fish
- 6. When did Constantine become the sole ruler of the Roman Empire?
A) 300 AD
B) 324 AD
C) 310 AD
D) 330 AD
- 7. Which council did Constantine convene to address the Arian controversy?
A) Council of Ephesus
B) Council of Constantinople
C) Council of Chalcedon
D) First Council of Nicaea
- 8. What was the original name of Constantinople?
A) Antioch
B) Rome
C) Byzantium
D) Carthage
- 9. In what year did Constantine die?
A) 315 AD
B) 330 AD
C) 350 AD
D) 337 AD
- 10. Which significant structure did Constantine build in Constantinople?
A) Hagia Sophia
B) Colosseum
C) Pantheon
D) Forum
- 11. Who was Constantine the Great?
A) Greek Philosopher
B) Military General
C) Roman Emperor
D) Carpenter
- 12. How many sons did Constantine have?
A) One
B) Two
C) Five
D) Three
- 13. Which emperor ruled jointly with Constantine as co-emperor before becoming sole ruler?
A) Constantius
B) Licinius
C) Maxentius
D) Diocletian
- 14. Who was Constantine's mother?
A) Agrippina
B) Helena
C) Faustina
D) Theodora
- 15. What famous victory symbol is associated with Constantine?
A) Veni, Vidi, Vici
B) In hoc signo vinces
C) Alea Iacta Est
D) Carpe Diem
- 16. What was a key outcome of the Edict of Milan?
A) Legalization of Christianity
B) Abolition of the emperor's authority
C) Persecution of pagans
D) Creation of new religions
- 17. What famous Christian site did Helena claim to have discovered?
A) Mount Sinai
B) True Cross
C) St. Peter's tomb
D) Holy Sepulchre
- 18. What was the role of Helena, Constantine's mother, in Christian history?
A) She is venerated as a saint.
B) She was a martyr.
C) She was a Roman Empress.
D) She built the Colosseum.
- 19. Constantine is known for his role in the establishment of which Christian festival?
A) Ascension Day
B) Christmas
C) Easter
D) All Saints' Day
- 20. What was the fate of Licinius after his defeat?
A) Allowed to retain power
B) Exiled
C) Executed
D) Imprisoned for life
- 21. Which Emperor did Constantine defeat at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge?
A) Galerius
B) Maxentius
C) Diocletian
D) Licinius
- 22. What was Constantine the Great's original name?
A) Tiberius Claudius
B) Flavius Valerius Constantinus
C) Gaius Julius Caesar
D) Marcus Aurelius
- 23. What was significant about the Council of Nicaea?
A) It addressed the Arian controversy
B) It banned all pagan practices
C) It established the pope's authority
D) It created the New Testament
- 24. What was the nickname often associated with Constantine?
A) The Conqueror
B) The Victorious
C) The Great
D) The Wise
- 25. What kind of reforms did Constantine implement?
A) Educational reforms
B) Religious reforms only
C) Cultural reforms
D) Economic and Military reforms
- 26. Which vision altered Constantine's perspective on Christianity?
A) An oracle's prophecy
B) A letter from the Pope
C) A vision after a battle
D) A dream before Milvian Bridge
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